Onychomycosis of the big toe is a common occurrence.Being the largest in area, these fingernails most often attract fungal infections, which create an environment for nutrition and development, destroying the nail tissue structure.Treating toenail fungus at home requires patience and care.
Cause
Onychomycosis develops due to the activity of pathogenic fungal organisms.Onychomycosis develops due to the activity of pathogenic fungal organisms.There are certain conditions in which fungus appears on the big toe:
- Contact with sick people.It is unacceptable to share shoes, towels and other household items with an infected person.
- Weakness of the body's immune system.This happens when a person has an inflammatory disease or endocrine disorder.
- Nail injury.Violation of the integrity of the nail plate can trigger the development of fungus.These same reasons include damage caused by wearing very tight shoes or cosmetic procedures.
- Excessive sweating of the feet.This may be due to endocrine disorders and poor quality shoes.But it can also be a congenital trait.
- Trophic skin changes, which are many older people.Because of them, the percentage of fungal infections among the elderly and senile is higher.
- Flat feet can also be a prerequisite for the development of this disease.
- Inadequate foot hygiene or its complete absence.
Important!
The risk of fungal infection increases significantly when visiting places with high humidity (swimming pool, shower, sauna, etc.) without shoes.
Signs of nail damage
The early stage of the fungus will not attract the attention of the infected person, because it has no symptoms.In rare cases, slight itching, mild burning or redness of the skin may occur.All this will not cause anxiety to the patient.
Symptoms intensify as the mycelium grows.The structure changes.Nails become dull and brittle.The plate becomes covered with spots and stripes, the color of which may vary depending on the type of causative agent of the disease.A photo of nail fungus on the big toe will help determine who exactly "settled" on it.
The affected nail is characterized by the thickening of the plate and the growth of its angle into the roller.So it becomes deformed under the influence of fungus.The following symptoms appear:
- pain during movement (while walking);
- The big toe becomes red and swollen;
- Purulent exudate is released from under the corner of the nail plate.
As the fungi go through their life cycle in the nail plate, they release toxins that enter the channels of the lymphatic system and spread throughout the body.Under the influence of these substances, the following occurs:
- skin rash such as urticaria;
- functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hangover symptoms.
The entry route of the fungus can be determined by external signs.If the infection has penetrated the roller, then the nail undergoes dystrophic changes.And if the free edge becomes the entrance, then the pathogen settles under the nail plate.
Stages of onychomycosis
The treatment of toenail fungus will depend on the stage of the process, of which there are only three:
- The beginning.
- Intensive (Progressive).
- Ignored (Destructive).
The beginning
This stage is characterized by normotrophic damage.The nails appear healthy, but upon closer inspection, small spots or streaks of whitish or yellowish color are evident.There may be nail destruction along the edges or in the middle.Plates lose their luster and become dull.At this stage it is easiest to get rid of the fungus.
Intensive (Progressive)
This stage is characterized by hypertrophic changes.Plates change color and configuration.Pathogens that spread across the surface make it thicken and loose.The toe looks like it has been injured.The edges of the nail are crushed and broken.There is an unpleasant smell coming from the feet.
It is more difficult to cure second stage fungus.Use local topical antifungal drugs and tablets if immunity is low.
Ignored (Destructive)
The nails lost the remnants of their healthy appearance, crumbled and peeled from their beds.The inflammatory process begins in the periungual fold.The infection spreads to the surrounding tissue and pain appears in the finger.Fighting fungus at this stage only requires comprehensive measures.
Methods for treating onychomycosis
How and with what to treat fungus on the thumb is best determined by a dermatologist.And even if you decide to use traditional methods for treatment, you must first make sure that your fingers are affected by fungus.A large number of drugs of various forms of release, as well as folk recipes, have been used in the treatment of fungal infections.
The following groups of drugs are used:
- Tablets.
- Lucky.
- Ointment.
- Solution.
- Plaster.
- Gel.
Surgical methods are used in advanced cases.Laser therapy is also widely used.
External agent application
Products intended for external use against fungal infections are sold in pharmacies and belong to the category of drugs available without a doctor's prescription.All of them are applied to the nail itself and to the surrounding tissues after the initial cleansing of the feet.The standard frequency of using this product is 1-2 times in 24 hours.
Note!
Treatment of nail fungus on the thumb lasts from several months to a year.It depends on how severe the pathological process is.
Lucky
An effective remedy in the fight against fungus is antifungal nail polish.It contains cyclopiroxolamine or amorolfine.It is used if the nail plate is damaged by no more than a third and the infection itself occurred less than 12 months ago.This treatment method is effective when the nail does not experience hypertrophy.
- Varnish should be used twice a week for six months.
- Before use, the part of the nail affected by the fungus is removed using a file and degreased with alcohol.
- The next time you use it, remove the remaining varnish with a swab soaked in alcohol, and again clean the plate from the damaged area.
Varnish destroys fungal spores by penetrating deep into the nail structure.These drugs have a high penetrating power and destroy various types of fungi.
Important!
Varnish is applied until a completely healthy nail plate grows on the finger.
Cream, gel or solution
There are many topical antifungal agents available on pharmacy shelves.These include gels, ointments, creams, and even solutions.Anti-fungal ointments, such as gels and creams, are applied to steamed surfaces that have been cleaned well or better.
Important!
It is necessary to treat the nail plate of both thumbs and everything else externally.And also on the big toe.This is done to prevent the spread of infection.
Preparation for internal use
Only a doctor can choose the right medicine for oral administration.Most of these drugs have a whole list of restrictions and contraindications.Treatment of nail fungus with tablets is contraindicated for people with a history of kidney and liver disease, as well as for pregnant women and children.The course of tablet treatment ranges from 2 to 6 months.The doctor develops a dosage regimen.
Traditional medicinal recipes
Fungus can be treated with folk remedies in addition to the main treatment regimen or in the early stages of the disease.They help, first of all, to eliminate its manifestations, and without pharmaceutical therapy, onychomycosis returns again and again.There are several simple treatment options.
- Mix honey and freshly squeezed onion juice in equal parts and lubricate the nails on the thumb and all other fingers once before going to bed until healthy nails grow fully.Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a glass container.The duration of treatment is 4-12 months.
- Grind the thyme.Take 4 tablespoons, pour a glass (200 ml) of boiling water and leave for 60 minutes.Soak the bandage in the tincture and apply it to the nail for 2 hours.Repeat the treatment twice a day for three weeks.
- Iodine is added to water heated to 45°C at the rate of 3 drops per 1 liter of water.Keep your feet in the solution until they cool completely.After showering, cut the damaged nail with scissors treated with hydrogen peroxide and apply a bandage with antifungal ointment.
- Pour boiling water over the lemon and stick the pieces to your nails using masking tape.Leave the compressor on overnight for best results.
- Steam your feet in hot water, dry your nails and put cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide on them for 30 minutes.After the procedure, scrape the softened area and lubricate the nail with an antifungal agent.
The key to successful therapy
For effective treatment, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- While the treatment is in progress, do not go to swimming pools, saunas and other places where the microclimate is humid and warm.
- Regularly treat all shoes with antifungal medication (spray).
- Change socks four times a day.Used steam must be disinfected.
- Under no circumstances should you skip medication or procedures.Follow the doctor's instructions strictly.
- Get rid of plates that are too large in time, because they prevent the penetration of medicines.